What Exactly Does Vaping Mean?

What Exactly Does Vaping Mean?

Vaping is a term that you’re probably hearing more and more lately. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word ‘vape’ is defined as follows…

To “inhale and exhale the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device.”

But the Oxford Dictionary isn’t the only dictionary to define the term. Online, the Urban Dictionary (which is known for its comical, yet surprisingly helpful definitions of slang terms and cultural phrases) defines it very similarly – albeit with a bit more ‘bluntness’.

Here is the Urban Dictionary’s definition of the word ‘vape’…

“To inhale vapor from E-cigarettes. Used because “smoking” an E-cig doesn’t apply as there is no smoke, only vapor.”

Somewhat comically, they also chime in with a second definition…

Vape: Definition number 2 in the Urban Dictionary… “The way to get everyone on the planet to hate you.”

This reference, while somewhat funny (actually, it’s funnier than most vapers will admit), probably stems from the stigma that vapers are always ‘over enthusiastic’ about their habit, and love to show it off at a more intense level than most people would consider tactful or ‘normal’. This same stigma is often applied to vegetarians and vegans.

The following joke illustrates this pretty accurately.

“A vegan, a vaper, and a vegetarian walk into a bar – and everyone knows it because none of them will stop talking about it.”

But seriously, with all joking aside, vaping is a habit in which you ‘vape’ using electronic cigarettes instead of analog tobacco cigarettes. The main difference is that electronic cigarettes, mods, vape pens, and/or E-shishas utilize PG or VG bases with flavourings and added nicotine to produce a smoke-like effect, while regular cigarettes make use of real tobacco, fire, and smoke to deliver nicotine to the lungs.

Why vaping? What’s the big deal?

Of course, the main advantage to vaping (and the reason for why it tends to be so popular) is that it’s been shown to be much less dangerous than analog tobacco smoke. Therefore, people can still get their nicotine fix, and can still have a fun habit without partaking of cancer-causing tobacco smoke, fumes, ash, and all of the other dangerous chemicals that go along with them.

But less specifically, vaping can also mean different things to different people. To one person, vaping might literally be a substitute for smoking. But for another, it might be a stress-reliever. For another, it might be something to do so that they can cut down on boredom snacking. And for another, it might be a way to calm their nerves at work, or a reason for them to take a ‘smoking break’ without actually smoking. 😉

So when you back away from the technical definition and allow yourself to see the concept with a broader frame of mind, you’ll find that vaping might have several different definitions – depending on the person doing it.

Why is vaping becoming so popular?

There are several reason for why vaping is increasing in popularity. For one, it’s safer. But it’s also much less expensive. It can also be a technical habit, because it allows people to mix and match different mechanical and electronic components to create something that’s unique and personalized. This is especially true of people who enjoy dripping, sub-ohm vaping, and mechanical mods. These types of vaping tend to leave the simple concept of ‘smoking’ behind, and are taking on a life of their own within vaping culture.

Gone are the days where vaping was just a substitute for smoking. Nowadays, vaping is, to put it simply, a habit of its own – and while it is a positive alternative to smoking, that role is no longer its identity.

Information! Vaping has really become its own thing, with a booming culture to support and enjoy it. It’s become a bit of a phenomenon, to be honest. But that’s not so surprising. It fills a gap that cigarettes used to hold all on their own, and has turned the nicotine habit into something new, technological, and exciting.

About The Author

NicoleIt's my passion to do the research about familiar to me topics, especially when it comes to electronic cigarettes and the whole vaping industry as such. I hope you will find my content useful and when / if you do - please do share it! I will appreciate it! :) See our ''Who We Are'' page to find out more about me and my colleagues. Thanks and I look forward to your comments and feedback.